2019 05 29 05 31 Philly's Ball Game, Valley Forge

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - 29 May 05 2019 

A very soggy start to our evening at the ballpark with Cathy and David for Cardinals versus Phillies. Dinner while floor sitting during the rain delay. Burgers and dogs are still a staple but like most ballfields, Citizens Bank Park has upgraded its food faire to include the local favorite, cheesesteaks, plus taco salads, vegan lettuce wraps, donut burgers and Tandori chicken wings. After more than an hour of waiting, the game was on.

Well, there is some prep time that has to occur before the game begins. There was a lot of water on the grass but the rain had moved off. The grounds crew could begin moving the water to the underground drains and removing the infield tarps.  

The Phanatic dressed in traditional clothing to help celebrate local Greek Heritage. Dancing with one of the field managers.

The game outcome did not please these Cardinal fans. The fans sitting behind us were not the chosen representatives for the City of Brotherly Love. We were fortunate that most of them decided to leave the game before it ended. Putting that aside, we were still at the ballpark. 

Valley Forge National Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - 31 May 2019.

Before taking our walk across the north side on the Joseph Plumb Martin Trail of Valley Forge along the Schuylkill River we all needed some sustenance for puppies and people. Our tailgate provided convenient seating for all. 

The Washington Memorial Chapel is an active Episcopal parish built to honor soldiers of the American Revolution. In 1903, the cornerstone was laid 125 years after the evacuation of the Continental Army in 1778. The exterior was completed in 1917 and the interior in 1921. The belltower on the right was added later. Construction began in 1941, suspended during WWII and restarted in 1949. The "Justice Bell" (Women's Liberty Bell) was forged in 1915 as nearly identical replica of the original Liberty Bell. It toured the nation to promote passage of the 19th Amendment and was permanently moved to the bell tower chamber in 1943.   

Beside the chapel is the Cloister of the Colonies Garden which contains many memorials to those lost in our nation's conflicts. 

Across Valley Forge Park Road is a couple of captured British cannon.

They adorn the model of the Washington Monument obelisk which marks the grave of Lieutenant John Waterman, "whose grave alone of all his comrades was marked" but represents the over 2,000 Continental soldiers who died at Valley Forge or in hospitals. Most did not die during the winter months but in the spring when influenza, typhus, typhoid and dysentery decimated the camp.  

  

Built between 1768-1770 by IsaacPotts, a Quaker who operated a grist mill nearby, this 3-story stone structure was occupied by George Washington, and later by his wife, Martha as well, from Christmas Eve 1777 until 18 June 1778 conducting army business in an office on the first floor. The second floor was dedicated to bedrooms for the Washingtons and senior and junior officers. The thrid floor was occupied by servants and personal slaves. The left attached building is the summer kitchen.

Interior of summer kitchen. Up to 25 people were housed and fed for the six months of occupation in this house. 

The back (larger) bedroom was for George and Martha. The furnishings are period but not original to the house due to subsequent owners who removed their private property when the house was sold. The encampment at Valley Forge contained approximately 16,000 people (12,000 soldiers and camp followers - wives, servants and others who cooked, cleaned and provided sewing for the soldiers) which made it the 4th largest "city" in the colonies behind Philadelphia, New York and Boston. 

Behind the outbuilding, one of seven bronze copies cast from the original marble that stands in the rotunda of the Virginia capitol building. Washington's family considers the final statue to be the most realistic depiction ever made of the general. 

On a hot, sunny day, there is nothing so helpful as a beautiful blooming Catawba tree in full bloom. Deep shade and a little pleasing scent provide some much needed resting space so we can finish our nearly 7.5 mile walk. 

2019 05 13 - 05 21 Downtown Philly, Lancaster etc.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - 13 May - 2 June 2019

Liberty Bell and Jim's Steaks, Downtown - 17 May 2019

There was absolutely no consideration of driving into downtown Philly after our disastrous attempt last year. So much easier and relaxing to just take the train. That's what we thought until once again we had to park the truck in areas which have not been designed for a full size truck with an 8 foot bed. Took awhile but eventually we managed to get it wedged into a spot. 

Kristen and Dave joined us for a tour of the renovated Liberty Bell Center. The timeless message engraved around the bottom of the former State House bell is even more relevant today:  "Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants thereof". The inscription is from the King James Bible 

There are additional exhibits telling the story of the first bell, ordered from London in 1751, which cracked on the first test ring and the recasting of the bell by Philadelphia metalworkers John Pass and John Stow. About 90 years later a small crack developed. It was widened to prevent further spread and restore the tone of the bell using a technique called "stop drilling".

The wide "crack" is actually the repair job. But the repair was not successful when another fissure developed. This second crack silenced the bell forever. It was first referred to as the "Liberty Bell" in 1835 when the inscription became a rallying cry for abolitionists wishing to end slavery. It has served to heal wounds from the Civil War and protest for Women's Suffrage and Civil Rights. 

Of course, after absorbing all the facts and history of the Liberty Bell, a several block walk for a cheesesteak sandwich was in order. Jim's Steaks is still in it's original 1976 location serving authentic Philly-style cheesesteaks. The art-deco storefront is distinctive for the wall tiles and lots of chrome. We are all purists about our sandwiches, just meat and cheese.

They will add onions, mushrooms and green peppers but hey, it is called a "cheesesteak". And our tip is to ALWAYS get the cheese whiz no matter what else they offer. Personally, I prefer the cheese to be melted and added to the meat before packing it on the bun. But that's just me. Enjoy! 

Reading Terminal Market

We have gone to many Farmer's Markets before and since we started on our travels but this is by far the most outstanding one we have experienced. Fruits, vegetables, meats, seafood, dairy and cheeses, candy, pastries, cakes, cookies, pies, ice cream, flowers, leather goods, clothing, pet items, ethnic groceries, housewares, books, crafts, poultry, honey, donuts, spirits and almost 30 restaurants. We were not sure what it was going to be like but we were so full of cheesesteaks all we could sample was ice cream. Bob and I wanted to take advantage of the very reasonable oysters but just couldn't force ourselves.

2019 05 19 Philadelphia second trip.  

Much easier time today finding the train station and figuring out the correct one to take closer to our destination.

So odd but very cool decorations for a parking lot.

The first and only museum dedicated to inspiring active citizenship and bringing the Constitution to life. In the story of "We The People", the best civics lesson in the country is narrated by a live actor to discover why the Constitution is as important today as it was over 200 years ago...maybe more so. 

In light of the enthusiasm for the Broadway production of "Hamilton" I was interested in the feature exhibit of "Hamilton: The Constitutional Clashes That Shaped A Nation" which highlighted the competing ideas of Alexander Hamilton and his legendary rivals James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and Aaron Burr. Rare original documents and artifacts explore the competing arguments including the scope of the national government, the establishment of a standing army, the creation of a federal banking system and foreign policy

Museum of the American Revolution

Housing thousand of period items we traced the steps from British colonists to becoming revolutionaries through creating a new nation. A life-size reproduction of the Boston Liberty Tree includes a plank of the actual tree, life-size replicas of members of the Oneida Indian Nation who would join the colonists, breaking away from the Iroquois Confederacy, a replica privateer ship to experience the war at sea, several films including one following  George Washington's journey from wilderness surveyor to General of the nation's army. 

Outside wall mural of the Constitutional Congress meeting in Independence Hall.

Mural of Washington crossing the Delaware River on 25 December 1776.

Housed in a dedicated theater, General Washington's war headquarters tent is one of the most iconic surviving artifacts of the Revolution. Carefully preserved by generations of the Custis and Lee families following the deaths of George and Martha Washington, the tent was purchased in 1909 by Rev. W. Herbert Burk from Miss Mary Lustis Lee, daughter of Confederate General Robert E. Lee.

Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton could not resolve their differences which resulted in an early morning duel ending the life America's most prolific Constitutional writer and ending the political career of the Vice President.

2019 05 21 Longwood Gardens
Consisting of over 1077 acres of gardens, woodlands and meadows and built by Pierre S. duPont who had been influenced during his frequent travels around the globe while he preferred to live amid the quiet beauty of the Brandywine Valley. He was astounded by grand architecture and the latest technology including huge display of water pumps and illuminated fountains. Success in corporate America brought him great wealth which he felt a responsibility to use wisely. Pierre and his wife, Alice gave generously to public schools, universities and hospitals but gardening was his life-long passion. The gardens at Longwood were created piecemeal, following no grand design.

Peonies had come into bloom replacing the tulips and daffodils.

After years of renovation and restoration, the mid-1930s hydraulic masterpiece reopened featuring the Main Fountain Garden in front of the Conservatory: 10,000 gallons a minute shot as high as 130 feet and illuminated in every imaginable color. 

The Conservatory opened in 1921 filled with fruits and flowers instead of the more popular exotic tropical foliage. Heat, water and power systems were hidden in tunnels so as not to detract from the grandeur of the glass-covered rooms.

The main fountains atop a walkable two story building housing the massive pumps and water recycling units. The water show is set to music and lasts about 15 minutes. 

The stairway Falls and 61-500t stone Chimes Tower. In 1956, the original chimes were replaced with a 32-note electronic carillon, i.e., a set of stationary bells sounded by manual or pedal action, or by machinery. In 2000, a new 62-bell carillon was crafted in the Netherlands.

Italian Garden

The grandest of the Longwood Tree Houses, the Canopy Cathedral was inspired by a Norwegian church.

2019 04 28 - 05 07 Confluence PA, Ohiopyle State Park and Fallingwater

Outflow Camping Area, Confluence, Pennsylvania - 28 April 2019
  Youghiogheny Dam, Confluence, Pennsylvania - 29 April 2019

Another Army Corps of Engineers dam and campground authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1938, one of 16 flood damage reduction projects in the Pittsburgh District. Since completion in 1943, the Youghiogheny Lake has prevented flood damage estimated to be in excess of $1.59 billion. The lake has the capacity to store the equivalent run-off of 21 inches of precipitation from its 434 square mile watershed.

Even under the tree canopy we discovered beautiful trillium flowers blooming and new fern fiddleheads pushing through the fallen debris. Should have been wearing my boots. 

Relaxing at camp. Anyone know why dogs insist on laying out on the gravel even when the mat is in the sun? The underpass for the bike trail leading to our next adventure. 

Ohiopyle State Park, Rails-to-Trails Bike Path - 1 May 2019

Smooth and level with babbling, gurgling streams running down the hills toward the Youghiogheny River, the bike trail between Confluence and Ohiopyle State Park is about eleven miles. It is a portion of the Great Allegheny Passage beginning in Cumberland, Maryland and traveling almost 150 miles to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Mostly shaded and following the river north to Pittsburgh. 

In Ohiopyle State Park the Youghiogheny River cuts two gorges, through Laurel Hill (PA's deepest water gap) and Chestnut Ridge. Many spots were dotted with pretty wildflowers including columbine. Besides biking and hiking along the trail, the river offers kayaking, canoeing and rafting through several whitewater rapids.  

Local artists' works cover the bridge abutments along the bike path. After several days of rain and the spring release of trout, hip waders and fly-fishing rods are the order of the day from the dam's hydroelectric plant downstream to the confluence of the Youghiogheny River and Laurel Hill Creek. The hydroelectric plant also releases additional water after heavy rains to regulate the lake's water lever, alleviate pollution during low water, improve the quality of water entering the river from towns, industries and coal mine drainage and improves the navigability of the adjoining rivers for barge traffic. This confluence was also the site of Colonel George Washington's first and only withdrawal from battle when his Indian scouts advised him of the strength of French troops north of here outnumbering him in 1754 at the beginning of the French and Indian War.  

Fallingwater, Bear Run, Pennsylvania - 6 May 2019

Reknowned American architect, Frank Llyod Wright, was commissioned by the Kaufmann family to build their summer home south of Pittsburgh. Besides running the family owned department store, the patriarch, Edgar was active in New Deal public works projects for Pittsburgh in the 1930s. His interst in Frank Lloyd Wright's propsals for these projects eventually led to corresondence with Wright about several civic projects prior to commissioning Fallingwater. Kaufmann also enjoyed the outdoors, especially horseback riding, fishing and hiking. His wife, Liliane reinvented the entire 11th floor of the store to recall the most elegant style of fashion shops of Paris. She too was an avid outdoors enthusiast. Her attention to detail brough elegance to their mountain retreat.   

The genius of its design was to physically and spiritually embrace the natural world captured in the daring and innovative architecture set among the forest landscape. The Kaufmanns' were expecting a residence placed across from the falls where they could be enjoyed from afar. Their love for the waterfalls inspired the architect to imagine a home cantilevered directly over the falls where the family would live in the midst of nature. 

Echoing a natural pattern established by its neighboring rock ledges, Wright positioned the house over the falls in a stacked group of cantilevered concrete "trays," each anchored to a central stome chimney mass of locally quarried sandstone.

The famous stairs to the river. Generally, the water flow is well below the landing but spring can see a rise up several steps. During one extreme rain the water rose above the stairs and into the living room. The tables and chairs were set on top of the couches which are cantilevered from the walls and saved from the flood waters.  

The second and third floors are bedrooms for the family members. Expansive windows and access to private terraces practically bring the outdoors inside.

Normally, the stream provides enough water to have four small rivulets cascading over the rocks. The last three days in southwest Pennsylvania have been rain filled so the engorged stream rages past the house.  

2019 05 08 - 05-12 Lancaster Area, Visiting family and Mother's Day.

Lancaster, Pennsylvania - 7 May 2019

A stunning pastoral scene from our hilltop campground in Kinzer, Pennsylvania. Surrounded by Amish farms, the quiet is so relaxing (except for the traffic and lawnmowers) and where can we find a better view. Tucked away under oak, tulip and flowering Princess trees, our site was a backing challenge to avoid the tree stump and tree limbs but get close to the hook-ups. 

Dakota enjoys getting visitors when my sister, Cathy and brother-in-law, David stopped by for some cuddling. Adorable. 

Mohnton, Pennsylvania - Thursday, 9 May 2019

Stopping by Kristen's and was met by her one year old King German Shepherd puppy, Kilo. Still somewhat rowdy and extra large at 102+ pounds but training is going very well. He knows all the seven major commands, though "stay" is difficult as he is still easily distracted. 

After doing some grocery shopping, Kristen and I spent two hours prepping the ingredients for dinner - Naw'lens style jambalaya. Dave got home in time for dinner while Abby, Megan and her boyfriend, Chris, kept the conversation lively and entertaining. 

Bonfire at the Holcomb's - 11 May 2019

Dave the grill master serves up cheeseburgers to his youngest daughter, Abby. She may have her own dog now but Kristen still loves our portable fur-babies. 

All those years in Girl Scouts for both Kristen and I come in handy when a large bonfire is needed. Unfortunately we had scattered showers during the evening which finally drove us indoors after we extinguished the fire (safety first). 

Mother's Day at Barclay Friends - 12 May 2019

My 87-year old mother is happily returned to her Skilled Care facility. She always enjoys having the dogs come to visit. This Mother's Day was not a good day for outside time so we gathered in her room. She had lots of visitors when Cathy and David arrived.